Senate Ag Committee Chair John Boozman says that USDA should operate foreign food aid programs, not the State Department. Boozman, says he hopes to make the switch if he can pass a new farm bill. Most U.S. foreign food aid was transferred to the State Department after President Trump largely dismantled USAID. Now, Boozman wants Food for Peace and the McGovern-Dole program moved under the control of USDA.
Boozman is hopeful that the switch can be made by including the change in the farm bill, but he also needs other committees that oversee the State Department to cooperate.
Boozman explains that other committee leaders of both parties are also working on the issue, and he is optimistic.
Boozman says Food for Peace and the McGovern-Dole programs were organized not just to help fight hunger abroad, but also to provide U.S. farmers additional markets and support prices. He argues the farm bill should be the vehicle for foreign aid food programs to switch operational control.
